English-speaking universities in Europe: how to choose?

2022-10-28

English-speaking universities in Europe: how to choose?

Studying abroad is the dream of many high school and university students all over the world. Before the pandemic, over 6 million university students were studying abroad either full-time or via mobility programs – and today in 2022, things are finally looking brighter again for those looking to move abroad to study. 

One of the first and most important questions, of course, is: 

WHERE should I study abroad? 

Most students are looking for English-speaking university programs, so it is only natural that many consider English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand first. Of course, these destinations are very popular: they have numerous prestigious and great universities to choose from and living in a native English environment in order to improve their English skills is very attractive to many students. 

However, while English-speaking countries may seem like a great choice at first glance, this is not always the case. There are many factors that students should consider: 

  1. Living costs 
  2. Tuition fees 
  3. Accessibility 
  4. Safety 
  5. Visa and immigration 
  6. Available programs 
  7. Education system and quality 
  8. International environment 
  9. Student life 
  10. Student jobs and employment prospects 



When taking all these factors into account, many students realize that there might be countries that are much more affordable, convenient, useful and fun to choose as study abroad destinations. 

image

Reasons to study in Europe in English  

Europe is an increasingly popular destination for students looking to study abroad. 

First, European countries are among the safest in the world, making them a great choice for students moving abroad on their own. According to the 2021 Global Peace Index ranking, the majority of the world’s top 25 safest countries are from Europe.    

Europe is also famous for its world-class education and home to many of the world’s top universities, with numerous outstanding institutions focusing on practice-oriented education or research.   

Last, but not least, you can find countless amazing study programs taught in English all over Europe, in all academic fields, both on bachelor’s and master’s level. 

You should also not forget about the amazing opportunities you can make the most of as a student of an EU country, such as: 

  1. funded study and work abroad opportunities and the Erasmus+ scholarship; 
  2. free movement all over Europe with amazing infrastructure and cheap travel options, allowing you to explore during your studies; 
  3. the amazing culture, sights and vibrant cultural life 
  4. and the welcoming, international communities that await you at major universities! 


image

The best international universities in Europe 

According to the Times Higher Education rankings for 2023, over 40% of the world’s best universities can be found in Europe. 

The top 10 universities for Europe in 2023 in non-English-speaking countries include ETH Zurich in Switzerland, the Technical University of Munich and LMU Munich in Germany. 

English-speaking universities in Europe: how to choose?

However, rankings are not everything – there are many more amazing universities that stand out either by their research opportunities, innovative education methods or extracurricolar opportunities offered to students. You also need to consider the pros and cons of the country and city you will be living in. 

Choosing your study abroad destination country 

It is a good idea to narrow down your choice of universities by choosing the countries that are most suitable for you first. For example, if you are looking for countries with lower living costs and tuition fees, you should probably consider Central, Eastern or Southern Europe first.  

If you are coming from a non-EU or non-EEA country, accessibility and visa processes may also be important factors to consider. 

An affordable hidden gem in the heart of Europe: Hungary

Hungary is an affordable and friendly country with a great location in the heart of Europe. It is within easy reach from other major European cities, and its vibrant capital city, Budapest is very popular among international students due to the numerous programs, festivals and countless entertainment and work opportunities it offers. 

Every year, more than 10,000 students come study abroad. It is definitely one of the best place for your studies abroad in Europe! 

image

Choosing the best university for your studies abroad 

If you are looking to study abroad, you should also consider the factors that are crucial to you and your study program – for example, if you are looking to study marketing, you might be looking for a very up-to-date and practical program; if you are looking to study graphic design, a well-equipped university with plenty of one-on-one mentoring will be the one you will be looking for. 

Best study abroad experience at Budapest Metropolitan University 

Budapest Metropolitan University (METU) is a modern, international institution with numerous English-taught, internationally recognized and accredited programs in the fields of art, business, communication and tourism. 

image

METU has a diverse international student community, and we foster a creative, supportive environment where your teachers will be your mentors. We always put our students first, and we help every student find the way to fulfill their personal and professional potential.   

At METU, we place great emphasis on practice-oriented teaching that prepares our students for real-life challenges. With our unique portfolio-based training system, our students can start building their career already during their university years. 

You can make the most out of your study abroad experience with the free language courses Budapest Metropolitan University also offers international exchange programs with scholarships at over 200 partner universities throughout the European Union and 5 continents of the world. Students can also benefit from more than 1000 industry partners and 400 relevant internship placements per semester.   

Budapest Metropolitan University - English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in the Heart of Europe! 

Start your studies at METU with a preparatory program or choose among numerous bachelor’s or master’s degrees! 

 

Learn more about our programs and start your application by clicking here!